For Mooroopna, a win this weekend would all but secure its place in the finals for the first time since 2014, while the Lions will be looking to stay ahead of seventh-placed Rochester, as the battle for that final spot in the top six continues to heat up.
With so much on the line, let’s delve a little deeper into what might decide this critical clash through the power of GVL Data.
It’s no secret that the key to Mooroopna’s success in 2022 has been the form of spearhead Chris Nield.
Currently leading the league’s goal kicking with 60 majors from 14 games, Nield has been a one-man show in the forward 50 at times this season — accounting for an incredible 35 per cent of the Cats’ goals this season.
Key stats
Goulburn Valley League top five goal kickers
1. Chris Nield - 60 (35 per cent of Mooroopna’s goals)
2. Ruory Kirkby - 53 (22 per cent of Echuca’s goals)
3. Jett Trotter - 35 (17 per cent of Euroa’s goals)
4. Tristan Davies - 34 ( 16 per cent of Euroa’s goals)
5. Mitch Cricelli - 33 (19 per cent of Rochester’s goals)
To put that in perspective, Echuca’s Ruory Kirkby (second on the list) has kicked just 22 per cent of the Murray Bombers’ goals, while Euroa’s Jett Trotter (third) accounts for 17 per cent of his team’s majors.
Seymour has already felt the full brunt of Nield’s prowess in front of the sticks this season, with the big full forward booting eight goals, taking eight marks and dishing off two score assists as the Cats recorded a 43-point win at Kings Park in round four.
At a glance
Chris Nield v Seymour round 4
Goals: 8
Marks: 8
Forward 50 marks: 8
Disposals: 13
Score assists: 2
But this time around it isn’t just Nield that the Lions will have to curtail.
After making the move from Murray League club Barooga just prior to the June 30 clearance cut-off, former Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs tall Jackson Trengove has proved a fantastic ally for Nield in the forward 50.
Making two appearances for the Cats, Trengove has booted seven goals, taking some much-needed weight off the shoulders of his red-hot teammate.
At the other end of the ground, Seymour will be hoping its spearhead can match the heroics of this dynamic Mooroopna duo, with former AFL talent Michael Hartley having an excellent first season at Kings Park.
Featuring in eight games, Hartley has kicked 30 majors at an average of 3.8 per contest.
He, along with many established teammates, also didn’t feature when the teams met in round four, with his presence likely to give Mooroopna coach John Lamont plenty to think about.
So for all those set to make the trip to Mooroopna this weekend, get ready to watch three of the league’s top goal kickers in full flight.
17°C